Device for aerating a jet of water

ABSTRACT

A device for aerating a jet of water, wherein a subdivider member divides the water flow into a number of partial flows and directs said partial flows one against the other such as they impact violently and atomize one another within a chamber wherein exterior air may enter through openings of the body of the device for being absorbed in the atomized jet of water.

United States Patent Knapp 1 June 27, 1972 [54] DEVICE FOR AERATING A JET OF WATER [72] Inventor: Alfons Knapp, Bleicherstrasse 3, Biberach,

Riss, Germany 22 Filed: Sept. 29, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 76,548

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 20, 1970 Italy ..69486 A/7O {52] U.S. Cl ..239/428.5, 239/544, 239/590.3 [51] ..E03c H08 [58] Field of Search ..239/428.5, 543, 544, 590,590.15,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,889,999 6/1959 Tomlinson ..239/428.5

Shames et al ..239/428.5

2,603,469 7/1952 Bedford et al. .239/428.5 X 2,717,772 9/1955 Paiivos ..239/428.5 2,744,738 5/1956 Hjuiian ..239/428.5 2,888,209 5/1959 Hjulian ....239/428.5 2,989,249 6/1961 Richter .239/428.5 X 2,993,653 7 7/1961 l-ljuiian ....239/428.5

Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Michael Y. Mar Attorney-Young & Thompson [5 7] ABSTRACT A device for aerating a jet of water, wherein a subdivider member divides the water flow into a number of partial flows and directs said partial flows one against the other such as they impact violently and atomize one another within a chamber wherein exterior air may enter through openings of the body 9 of the device for being absorbed in the atomized jet of water.

15 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATEHTEDJUHN m2 SHEEI 1 0F 2 lllll IIIIIY I all -ssm 7457/ 7 7 1 v F'IG.3

FIG.4

INVENTOR. 14L FO/VJ Adm/ DEVICE FOR AERAT'ING A JET OF WATER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for the aeration of a jet of water of the type which is applied to discharge spouts, e.g. for wash basins.

Aeration devices, sometimes referred to by the names perlator," aerator and the like, usually comprise a pair of very fine wire meshes disposed one after the other, through which passes the flow of water which is to be aerated and between which opens an air intake which communicates with the exterior. Other known devices can be considered as equivalents to that just referred to, and all these devices present a number of disadvantages. The fine metal meshes offer a considerable resistance to the flow through them, which produces a considerable loss of head, consequently detrimentally reducing the discharge. In addition, the small sized passages formed by the meshes (which are indispensable to obtain correct aeration) become clogged very quickly, either because of impurities entrained by the water and retained by the meshes, or by depositions of calcium and silica which are formed. The prior aerators consequently need to be replaced frequently.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to mitigate the abovementioned disadvantages of. the known constructions and to provide an aerator for jets of water in which the water passages have a considerable cross-sectional area, in which the resistance to flow is reduced to allow a high head to be obtained and in which the risk of blockage is reduced.

The present invention provides a device for aerating a jet of water comprising a subdivider member in which are formed passages each provided for the flow therethrough of a part of the flow to be aerated, the passages being shaped and ar ranged to produce mutually convergent jets intended to impact violently in a zone and to atomize one another.

The aeration of the atomized jet may be effected by causing the atomization to occur at a position which is in communication with the exterior air through air inlets.

The aerated jet may subsequently be stabilized, if necessary, before it leaves the discharge mouth of the aerator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of embodiments thereof given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a diametric section taken through an aerator device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an axial view of the fiow sub divider member of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a diametric section of a modified form of the flow sub divider member;

FIG. 4 shows an axial view of a jet stabilizer;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged axial section of an aeration device according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view of the parts forming the device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the flow sub divider member;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a baffle jet stabilizer;

FIG. 9 shows nearly in full size scale an axial section of the conically shaped aeration device, including the bafile jet stabilizer;

FIGS. 10 to 12 show further embodiments of the baflle jet stabilizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I The illustrated embodiment of the invention has a body 1 which is screwed in to the end of a discharge spout or pipe 2 but which may be modified for connection in another way to the spout or can even in certain cases by formed in one piece with the spout. At the inlet end of the body 1 there is provided a member which is intended to sub divide the flow into a number of partial jets and to direct these jets in such a way that they flow together in a violent manner to atomize each other. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this sub divider member comprises a disc 3 retained by the body 1 and having a raised central part 4 in the conically shaped wall of which slots 5 (of which there may be'for example eight) are cut, the slots 5 forming passages arranged obliquely relative to the direction of flow and towards the axis of the body 1. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, which has been found to be efiicient, each passage 5 is convergent since it is limited (as shown in FIG. 1) by a first wall arranged in the axial direction and by a second wall arranged in the radial direction.

When the discharge occurs, and a flow of water flows through the spout 2 and passes through the aerator device, jets moving in the direction indicated by the arrows F3 leave the said passages and converge towards a point P located on the axis of the body 1. Owing to the constriction of the flow resulting from the presence of the sub divider member 3, the water in the jets F3 is at an increased speed relative to the flow upstream of the sub divider member 3 and as a result the jets which meet around the point P impact against one another violently, which causes mutual atomization. The jets of water pass in an atomized state from the atomization zone p.

Since the wall surfaces defining the passages 5 are convergent, the water passes through each of the passages 5 by convergent trajectories, of which the inner ones are directed acthe passages 5, that is to say in the jets F3, and as'a result there is a finer atomization of the jets F4.

The aeration of these atomized jets is ensured by a sleeve 7 inserted into the body 1 and defining a gap 8 communicating with the interior chamber in which the atomization zone P is disposed and also in communication with the exterior through openings 9 cut in the body 1 in radial directions and constituting air inlets. These openings may comprise a series of holes or a single slot or a plurality of slots extending peripherally. The air passes freely through the openings 9 and the gap 8 into the zone P, where it is entrained and incorporated in the atomized jet, which, now aerated, flows on through 10.

Assuming that such a jet has a tendency to instability, that is to say to move irregularly in time, it is convenient (although it is not strictly necessary) to stabilize it by introducing into the latter part of the body 1, before its mouth 11 or even (as show) projecting partly therethrough, a uniformly shaped body, for example a ball 12. The ball 12 can be retained in the most suitable position and centralized, by means of arms 13 connected for example to the sleeve 7 or directly to the body 1, Alternatively, the ball 12 can be suspended by a rod extending to the raised part 4 of the sub divider member 3.

Stabilization of the atomized and aerated jet is also obtained by the fact that, as a result of the design, an annular peripheral cavity or chamber is formed between the sleeve 7 and the discharge opening (slightly narrowed) of the body 1. The presence of this annular chamber produces in the jet disturbances the effect of which (by a complex of phenomena of which a complete explanation is not known) has a stabilizing effect.

The number of slot forming the passages 5 through the sub divider member 3 is arbitrary but sufiiciently large as is their size. The element may be of metallic construction or, advantageously, of synthetic material.

The arrangement of the said passages 5 in the conical wall, in accordance with the above described embodiment, is advantageous in that it permits the convergence of the difi'erent jets F3 to be produced, which is necessary in order that they mutually impact and atomize each other, with a minimum deviation of direction of flow and in consequence with a minimum resistance and reduction of pressure. Nevertheless, it should be understood that satisfactory operation can also be obtained if the partial jets 6 are directed in radial directions,

or almost radial directions, against one another, as is the case when the passages are cut in the wall of a section 4 which is substantially cylindrical, for example. Moreover, the shape of the slots can be modified.

In the modifications shown in FIG. 3, which shows an example of the above-mentioned possible modifications, a projecting part 4 which projects from the disc 3 of the sub divider member has a cylindrical shape in which are cut openings to form passages 5' in the form of a set of circular holes cut in the radial direction in the cylindrical wall surface. In this modified form, there is also an axial hole 5" (which could be omitted) through which flows a non-deflected axial jet which is atomized as it converges with the other partial jets in the atomization zone which is fonned along the geometrical axis of the device by the convergence of the jets pass through the radial holes 5'. Obviously, a hole such as the hole 5 in Fig. 3 could be also provided in the sub divider member shown in Fig. 1.

The sub divider member 3, can advantageously be made from a synthetic material which is somewhat resilient and in this case (as shown by Fig. 1) it also effects sealing between the spout 2 and the body 1 without requiring a special fitting. The stabilization effected by the ball 12 may, if desired, also be effected by one or more metallic meshes having large meshes. I

The device according to Fig. 5 is modified in order to meet some applications and rules, according to which aeration devices must be efficient also by reduced flow. Although the aeration device according to Fig. 1 shows, also from this point of view, more favorable features in comparison with the already known constructions, nevertheless it has been stated that, by reduced flow, the greatest efficiency can be reached only when the sub divided and reciprocally convergent jets are substantially radial, while convergent jets directed obliquely relative to the flow axis show a lower efficiency by reduced flow. The construction of the sub divider member capable of producing radially convergent jets involves considerable technical difficulties which remarkably afiect the costs concerned, more particularly if, in view of permitting a correct working also by high flow, a wide passage section is required, i.e. in the form of several radial passages which would excessively complicate the mold of the sub divider member. A further problem arising in the case of an aerated jet by reduced flow consists in the stability of the jet itself, not sufficiently assured by means commonly in use. 7

In order to meet the above mentioned requirements, according to Fig. 5 the sub divider member is made of two separate parts produced by frontal molding, i.e. in an economical way from the industrial standpoint, the first part thereof being of the type already referred to and fit for itself to produce convergent and obliquely directed jets; the second one consisting in a flow deflecting member, purposely foreseen to match with the first part, in order to obtain sub stantially radial convergent jets, thus rising the efficiency of the aeration by reduced flow; it remains possible to make use of the first part only, should the requirement above not arise, thus allowing a constructive standardization of aerators having different functional properties. The jet stabilization by reduced flow is obtained by means of a baffle provided with large sized passages, nearly like a mesh having large meshes and fitted on the jet path after the atomization of the latter and before its delivery. The device according to Fig. 5 shows, likewise the one according to Fig. 1, a body 1 foreseen to be applied to a cane 2; furthermore a sub divider member 3-5, a sleeve 7 delimiting a gap 8 communicating with the exterior air through air inlets 9 of the body 1, finally a stabilizer ball 12 provided near the mouth 11 of the body 1. Said parts because corresponding to the formerly described ones will be no more specified, nor their working either.

In orderto make substantially radial the convergently sub divided jets produced by the sub divider member 3-5, when necessary, without complicating the construction thereof, a deflecting member 14 is foreseen for superposition onto the sub divider member 3-5, thus allowing the water entering into the sub divider member only in a substantially radial direction. The deflecting member 14 can be internally and externally shaped as a truncated cone, but different shapes are also possible and functional. Preferably the said deflecting member shows a deflecting sharp edge 15 which highly facilitates the atomization of the water flow. According to the illustrated embodiment said sharp edge is provided between both aforesaid internal and external conical surfaces of the member 14, but it could also be foreseen between a cylindrical wall and a frustrum conically shaped one, or between a cylindrical or frustrum conically shaped wall and a flat one. Preferably, according to the embodiment in question, the outer surface of the deflecting member 14 is made rough, namely in the form of a number of projecting points 16, which can be easily molded because of their axial direction; the latter having been foreseen for obtaining a braking eflect in the immediate adiacency of the deflecting member, in order to facilitate the successive deflection and subsequent atomization of the flow.

The deflecting member 14 shows a central hole 17, fit to be locked by pressure onto a pin 18 on the sub divider member 3-5, thus permitting an easy connection between the two parts. On the opposite side, relative to the aforesaid pin 18, in the sub divider member 3-5 a rod 19 can be usefully incorporated for connection to the stabilizer ball 12, for instance by pressure. In such a case the latter can be provided with a proper blind hole 20. As a consequence, owing to the rod 19 the convergent jets as produced by the sub divider member 3-5, will in part impact onto other jets, in part onto the rod 19, yet without. modifying the working manner of the device.

The sleeve 7 is preferably provided on its upper part with castellations forming air inlets 21, the sub divider member 3-5 (which effects sealing with regard to the cane 2) resting thereon.

A particularly efficient stabilization of the aerated jet by reduced'flow can be obtained by letting the jet pass through a bafile substantially structured like a large mesh. By way of example said baffle can be carried out according to the embodiment of Fig. 9, in which the bafile 22 is made of radial elements, some ramifications departing therefrom in such a way to define a plurality of braked passages for the jet. According to this embodiment the wide free passage section does not noticeably hinder the jet, not even by great flow. As per Figs. 8 and 9 the bafile 22 is formed in one piece when molding a body 1 for the device (the latter being shown in Fig. 8 and 9 according to a different embodiment with respect to Fig. 5). Yet said baffle, instead, may be formed in one piece with the ball 12' (Fig. 10); it could be carried out in the form of projections, for instance in the form of radial ramifications; alternatively it could be formed in one piece with the sleeve 7' (FIG. 11). Advantageously, according to Fig. 12 the baffle 22" forms a part of a lower raised portion 23 of the sleeve 7, so that it will be located close to the mouth 11 of the body 1 after assembling the sleeve (position shown by short dash lines in Fig.5).

It will be seen that the sub divider member 3-5 has a shape such as to produce only a low resistance to the flow and thus a low counter-pressure in the pipes upstream; on the contrary the deflecting member induces a noticeable counter-pressure in the pipes upstream, thus reducing noise. Accordingly, the form of the aerating device which comprises a deflecting member (accoeding to Fig. 5) is particularly suitable when noise reduction is required, while such a deflecting member will be omitted (according to Fig. 1) when any counter-pressure is to be avoided, for example using the aerator in combination with a gas water heater.

When a deflecting member 14 is superimposed to the subdivider member 3-5, this latter substantially assumes the function of supporting the deflecting member. Therefore its conformation can be noticeably modified without varying the working manner of the device.

Of course, also the further parts of the device can be in various manners modified as to their shape, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the scope of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim is:

1. A device for aerating a jet of water, comprising a tubular body, a sleeve inserted in said body defining a gap between said body and said sleeve, openings formed in said body communicating with said gap and with the exterior air, a subdivider member inserted in said body defining an interior chamber communicating with said gap, said subdivider member having a raised portion of substantially conical shape, and convergent passages in said raised portion of the subdivider member, said passages being inclined with respect to the axis of said tubular body and having a first internal wall substantially parallel to the axis of said tubular body and a second wall substantially perpendicular to the first wall, whereby a flow of water sent to said tubular body through said subdivider member is subdivided into a number of partial flows which converge mutually into said chamber and impact mutually within said chamber to atomize one another.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tubular body has a slightly narrowed discharge opening at the end opposed to said subdivider member, and a recess forming an annular chamber between said discharge opening and said inserted sleeve.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said subdivider member is inserted at one end of said tubular body, said subdivider member being formed of a slightly resilient synthetic material for acting as a seal. 7

4. A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a jet stabilizer in the form of a ball inserted in the lower portion of said interior chamber.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said subdivider member has an axial shaft, and further comprising a jet stabilizer in the form of a ball, said ball having a hole for insertion onto the free end of said shaft.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a jet stabilizer in the form of an apertured baffle inserted within said interior chamber.

7. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tubular body has an apertured baffle integral therewith.

8. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sleeve has an apertured bafile integral therewith.

9. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sleeve has a lower extension and, at the lower end of said extension, an apertured baffle integral therewith.

10. A device as set forth in claim 1, and a jet stabilizer in the form of a ball disposed in the lower portion of said interior chamber, said ball having an apertured baffle integral therewith. 1

11. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sleeve has upper extensions in the form of castellations, said extensions being mutually separated by free air passages, and wherein said subdivider member rests on said extensions.

12. A device for aerating a jet of water, comprising a tubular body, a sleeve inserted in said body defining a gap between said body and said sleeve, openings formed in said body communicating with said gap and with the exterior air, a subdivider member inserted in said body defining an interior chamber communicating with said gap, said subdivider member having a raised portion, convergent passages formed in said raised portion of the subdivider member, said convergent passages having a first internal wall substantially parallel to the axis of said tubular body and a second wall substantially perpendicular to the first one, and a deflecting member super-imposed to said subdivider member and partially closing said passages except at the lower ends thereof,whereby a flow of water sent to said tubular body through said subdivider member is subdivided in a number of radial partial flows which converge mutually into said chamber and impact mutually within said chamber to atomize one another even by reduced flow.

13. A device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said deflecting member has a substantially sharp deflecting edge.

14. A device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said deflecting member has a number of points opposed to said subdivider member and extending substantially in the axial direction of said tubular body.

15. A device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said raised portion of the subdivider member is substantially conical and has a central pin, and said deflecting member is substantially frusto-conical and has a central hole for insertion onto said I l l t 

1. A device for aerating a jet of water, comprising a tubular body, a sleeve inserted in said body defining a gap between said body and said sleeve, openings formed in said body communicating with said gap and with the exterior air, a subdivider member inserted in said body defining an interior chamber communicating with said gap, said subdivider member having a raised portion of substantially conical shape, and convergent passages in said raised portion of the subdivider member, said passages being inclined with respect to the axis of said tubular body and having a first internal wall substantially parallel to the axis of said tubular body and a second wall substantially perpendicular to the first wall, whereby a flow of water sent to said tubular body through said subdivider member is subdivided into a number of partial flows which converge mutually into said chamber and impact mutually within said chamber to atomize one another.
 2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tubular body has a slightly narrowed discharge opening at the end opposed to said subdivider member, and a recess forming an annular chamber between said discharge opening and said inserted sleeve.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said subdivider member is inserted at one end of said tubular body, said subdivider member being formed of a slightly resilient synthetic material for acting as a seal.
 4. A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a jet stabilizer in the form of a ball inserted in the lower portion of said interior chamber.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said subdivider member has an axial shaft, and further comprising a jet stabilizer in the form of a ball, said ball having a hole for insertion onto the free end of said shaft.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a jet stabilizer in the form of an apertured baffle inserted within said interior chamber.
 7. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tubular body has an apertured baffle integral therewith.
 8. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sleeve has an apertured baffle integral therewith.
 9. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sleeve has a lower extension and, at the lower end of said extension, an apertured baffle integral therewith.
 10. A device as set forth in claim 1, and a jet stabilizer in the form of a ball disposed in the lower portion of said interior chamber, said ball having an apertured baffle integral therewith.
 11. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sleeve has upper extensions in the form of castellations, said extensions being mutually separated by free air passages, and wherein said subdivider member rests on said extensions.
 12. A device for aerating a jet of water, comprising a tubular body, a sleeve inserted in said body defining a gap between said body and said sleeve, openings formed in said body communicating with said gap and with the exterior air, a subdivider member inserted in said body defining an interior chamber communicating with said gap, said subdivider member having a raised portion, convergent passages formed in said raised portion of the subdivider member, said convergent passages having a first internal wall substantially parallel to the axis of said tubular body and a second wall substantially perpendicular to the first one, and a deflecting member superimposed to said subdivider member and partially closing said passages except at the lower ends thereof,whereby a flow of water sent to said tubular body through said subdivider member is subdivided in a number of radial partial flows which converge mutually into said chamber and impact mutually within said chamber to atomize one another even by reduced flow.
 13. A device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said deflecting member has a substantially sharp deflecting edge.
 14. A device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said deflecting member has a number of points opposed to said subdivider member and extending substantially in the axial direction of said tubular body.
 15. A device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said raised portion of the subdivider member is substantially conical and has a central pin, and said deflecting member is substantially frusto-conical and has a central hole for insertion onto said pin. 